Constantinian order donates to SJC St. George’s

The St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC), St. George’s is the beneficiary of EC$620, 414 from the Vatican in Rome to help finance the completion of the ground floor of the recently constructed administrative building, which was destroyed by Hurricanes Ivan and Emily in 2004 and 2005.

Sir Anthony Bailey presents the cheque to Sister Gabriel in the presence of Dame Cecile

The donation comes against the backdrop of the newly formed relationship between the world-wide Roman Catholic Church and Grenada in 2014.

The funds were presented in the form of a cheque to Sister Lucy Gabriel, Principal of the SJC during a brief handing over ceremony at the school last week Friday, which was observed as St. Joseph’s Day.

Secretary-General and Magistral Delegate for Inter- religious Relations, Sir Anthony Bailey visited the island to make the donation on behalf of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, which is one of the oldest Roman Catholic orders in existence.

According to Sir Bailey, “education has been a central theme of the Constantinian Order’s engagement in this part of the world” and the donation is part of a wider outreach to the wider Caribbean region.

“In fact only a few days ago I was in Antigua and Barbuda opening the new wing of the St. Joseph’s Academy in St. John,” he told the gathering.

The Vatican official said the donation to SJC, St George’s “came from pockets of members of the order,” who contributed generously to the cause.

In expressing gratitude for their generosity, Sister Gabriel stated that work would commence on the ground floor “almost immediately.”

Following the handing over ceremony, Civil Engineer and Technical Advisor for the project, Dwayne Noel told THE NEW TODAY that this phase of the project will house a “language lab, computer room, class rooms for the commercial department, a staff room, audio visual counseling area, a multi- purpose room and a meeting room.”

The ceremony was also attended by Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade.

The visiting delegation received a warm SJC, St. George’s welcome from the drum core of the school on their arrival on the compound.

The day’s event culminated with a tour of the SJC education facility, which was started by a team of Irish nuns over 50 years ago.